Tennis scoring device



Dec. 25, 1934. CAMPBELL 1,985,652

TENNI S SCORING DEVICE Filed March 18, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

H arr-H P. E. arn E11 ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 25, 1934. P E 1,985,652

TENNI S SCORING DEVICE Filed March 18, 19:53 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGI 8! 2 ,5 /i D go 7- 2 G I B INVENTOR.

Harry P. E. am 'heH M,W M

Patented Dec. 25, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

The present invention relates to game scoring devices and the primary object of the invention is to provide an efficient device of this character for use in the scoring in the game of tennis.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tennis scoring device which aside from being neat and compact in construction, serves'to score the various points of the game as well as totaling the games played.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tennis scoring device embodying scoring discs for indicating points of the game and which discs transfer movement to scoring discs for totaling the games played.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flat scoring device of this character embodying an intermediate indicator operatively connected with and actuated by independently movable game point scoring members for indicating the state of the game when either player has scored a point after deuce.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tennis scoring device embodying a pair of point scoring discs each of which has a game scoring disc associated therewith to be actuated by its respective point scoring disc, with novel means for holding all of the discs in proper scoring position, the game scoring discs being held against counter movement during return or resetting of the point scoring discs.

A further object resides in the novel manner in which the indicator for registering deuce and vantage in and vantage out is connected for proper display movement of the discs for scor ing game points.

A further object resides in the novel arrangement whereby the position of the players when serving or receiving may be indicated upon the scoring device. 1

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tennis scoring device having the scoring indicia duplicated at opposite faces thereof, so that the scoring device may be reversed or turned over after playing any desired number of games and then the scoring continued with the device positioned according to the position of the players after having changed courts.

Other objectsand advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speciflcationand in which drawings:--- 7 Figure l is a face 'view of one side of the scoring device.

Figure 2 is a view looking at the opposite side of the device from that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view showing a portion of one of the cover plates broken away and showing the scoring discs at zero or starting position.

Figure 4 is a view showing a portion of one cover plate broken away and the position of the point scoring discs indicating a tie or deuce.

Figure 5 is a view showing a portion of the cover plate broken away and the discs in position as when one of the players has scored a point after deuce.

Figure 6 is a view showing one of the cover plates broken away and the condition of parts as after one of the players scores game by winning two successive points following a tie or deuce.

Figure 7 is a view on a slightly enlarged scale of the opposite side of the scoring device showing one of the cover plates partly broken away and with the point scoring discs at a starting position after scoring three games played.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8--8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a view showing a portion of one of the cover plates broken away and showing the position of the point scoring discs and the intermediate indicator when one of the discs indicates game and the other disc zero.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the keeper for the point scoring discs.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the keeper for the game scoring discs.

Referring to the drawings in detail and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the scoring device comprises a pair of rectangularshaped face or cover plates A and B of similar construction and which plates may be formed of any suitable material such as metal or opaque celluloid. These face or cover plates A and B are of identical formation and are provided along their upper edges with recesses 5 and at each side edge with a recess 6.

Rotatably mounted between the upper portions of the cover plates A and B, as upon suitable pivot pins or rivets 7 is a pair of point scoring discs or units C and D having their peripheral edges projecting into the recesses 5 to permit rotation of the discs. Mounted between the lower portions of the cover plates is a pair of game scoring discs or units E and F mounted for rotation upon suitable pivot pins or rivets 8 so that their peripheral edges project into the recesses 6 to permit rotation of the discs. The disc E forms a game scoring disc for the disc 0, while the disc F forms a game scoring disc for the disc D. Operatively connected for actuation by the point scoring discs C and D is an indicator G for indicating a tie in scoring as well as vantage in" and "vantage ou Arranged between the marginal portions of the cover plates are suitably shaped combined filler and spacer members designated by the numerals 9, 10 and 11 and these filler and spacer members space the cover plates sufliciently to permit free rotation of the scoring discs and movement of the indicator G. These spacer members 9, 10 and 11 provide filler pieces about the periphery of the cover plate to exclude entrance of dust and dirt and are shaped at'their inner edges to permit rotation of the scoring discs and movement of the indicator. Suitable rivets or fastening pins 12 secure the cover plates together and-these pins extend thru the spacer members for retaining the members in position. The pivot pins 7 and 8 for the scoring discs also project thru the cover plates.

The point scoring discs C and D are of identical construction and are 50 mounted as to have their peripheral edge contact with the peripheral edge of their respective game scoring discs E and F. Each point scoring disc is provided with an arcuate slot 13 thru which projects movement limiting pins 14 having one or both ends anchored in the cover plates A and B. These arcuate slots 13 extend concentric to the pins '7 and permit limited rotation of the point scoring discs. Formed in a portion of the circumferential edge of each point scoring disc is a series of arcuate-shaped notches 15 adapted to receive the rounded end portions 16 of the spring arms 17 of a keeper serving to retain the point scoring discs in various positions of rotation. The keeper generally designated by the numeral 18 is secured at the apex of the diverging spring arms 17 to the cover plates A and B by suitable lugs 19 which may be extended thru suitable openings in the cover plates and then oilset or riveted over for retaining the keeper in place. As will be observed in Figures 7 and 9, the rounded end portions 16 of the spring arms 17 will permit rotation of the point scoring discs, and that the arcuate-shaped notches 15 facilitate turning of the discs by one's finger.

Each of the covers plates A and B is provided adjacent its upper edge with a pair of sight openings or windows 20, one for each of the scoring discs C and D and with the sight openings in one cover plate aligning with the sight openings in the companion cover plate. Delineated in any suitable manner upon each face of each scoring disc C and D is suitable scoring indicia for scoring the various points made in playing the game of tennis. This indicia is arranged for display at the sight openings 20 upon rotation of the point scoring discs, and the keeper 18 serves to retain the discs with the scoring indicia properly displayed at the sight openings 20. The point scoring discs C and D are independently movable and may be held at any one of six positions for displaying either Start", 15, 30, 40, the character X or Game.

The game scoring discs E and F are adapted to have movement imparted thereto by their respective point scoring discs C and D and each game scoring disc is provided at each side thereof with an annular series of numbers for registering the games won by each side or player. The game registering numerals on the game scoring discs are adapted for display thru suitable sight openings or windows 21 provided in each of the cover plates, with a sightopening provided for each of the discs. The peripheral edge of each disc E and F shown total twtynine.

1,ass,ssa

is provided with a series of segmental-shaped notches 22, one notch being provided for each game registering numeral which in the example 'Ihese segmentalahaped notches 22 aside from facilitating resettingof the game scoring discs, co-act withakeeper 23 for preventing counter-movement of the game scoring discs after having been advanced bytheir respective point scoring discs. The keeper 23 may be formed of spring material and is formed with diverging spring arms 24 provided at their free ends with offsets 25 spring urged into the notches 22 whereby the spring arms act as pawls to permit rotation of the game scoring discs in one direction and limiting counter-rotation of the discs. The keeper 23,'at the connected end of its arms 24 is provided with suitable lugs 26 adapted to project thru the cover plates A and B and be offset or riveted over for retaining the keeper in place.

Referring now to the means whereby rotation of the point scoring discs during the playing of the game transfers movement to their respective game scoring discs for totaling games won by each player, each point scoring disc is provided at its peripheral edge with an ,arcuateshaped pawl or tongue 27 provided at its free end with an outwardly offset projection 28 adapted to project beyond the circumference of the discs so as to engage in one of the segmentalshaped notches 22 when the point scoring disc has been rotated to a degree indicating the winning of a game by one player. keeper 23 retain the discs E and F in a position whereby the projections 28 may properly engage in the notches 22. The tongues 27 are yieldable to permit resetting of the point scoring discs and allow the projections 28 to ride out of the notches 22 duringresetting of the point scoring discs as shown in Figure 6. As will be observed particularly in Figures 7 and 9, the yieldable tongues 2'1 are formed by arcuately slotting the point scoring discs and having the slot open at one end upon the periphery of the disc. As will be observed, the point scoring discs C and D rotate in opposite directions from a starting position and this requires that the game totaling numerals on the discs E and F be disposed in opposite positions upon the game scoring discs.

Considering Figure 7, when the point scoring disc D has been rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to an extent whereby the rounded end portion 16 of the spring arm 17 engages in the segmental-shaped notch opposite Game, the projection 28 on the yieldable pawl 27 will have engaged in one of the notches 22 of the game scoring disc F and advanced the disc F for one degree of movement in a clockwise direction. Likewise in Figure 7, when the point scoring disc C has been rotated in a clockwise direction until Game" is displayed at its sight opening, the yieldable pawl 27 will advance the game scoring disc E for one degree of movement in a counterclockwise direction. Should one of the players score four points to win a game, while the opponent scores less than three points, it will be necessary to advance the point scoring disc for the winning player for two degrees of movement after the fourth and winning point has been won in order that the game scoring disc therefor may be advanced for one degree of movement.

Referring now to the indicator G adapted for actuation by the discs C and D, this indicator serves to indicate the condition of the score whenever there is a tie deuce, as well as the The arms of the 1,oss,es2

state of the game when either player has scored a point after "deuce so as to indicate vantage in or vantage out". This indicator embodies a display plate or portion 30 adapted for movement within the open space formed between the various scoring discs. Projecting from each side of the flat (I splay plate 30 is an arm 31 and these anns preferably are slightly upwardly inclined from'the display plate as clearly shown in Figure 1. Each of the point scoring discs C and D are recessed at one side for approximately onehalf its thickness as at 32 and these recesses receive the outer ends of the arms 31.

Formed in the recess 32 of each point scoring disc C and D is a cam slot 33 for controlling movement of the indicator G. The outer end of each indicator arm 31 carries a pin 3 for movement in the 'slots 33. These cam slots 33 are formed at one end with an arcuate portion 35 extending concentric to the axis of the discs. From the open end of the arcuate portion 35 the cam slots extend in a straight line toward the periphery of the disc forming a straight slot portion 36 wh'ch terminates just inwardly of the periphery ofthe disc in a pocket 37. The straight slot portions 38 provide throw portions acting to raise and lower the display plate 30 for proper display when a tie score in points of game exists. As will be noted, the cam slots 33 are oppositely arranged in the point scoring discs.

Provided in each cover plate A and B at about the axial center thereof is a pair of sight openings or windows 38 and 38' arranged one above the other and adapted for selective display of scoring indicia upon the display plate 30. The indicia at opposite s'des of the display plate 30 is similar, the indicia at the upper portion of the plate being adapted for display at the sight openings 38 and the indicia at the lower portion of the plate being adapted for display at the sight opening 38'. The indicia for display at each sight opening consists of deuce, indicating a tie in points of game and at opposite sides of the tie indicator indicia with the words in and on indicating vantage in and vantage out" respectively. The markings in and out are set slightly below the marking deuce and this arrangement of indicia prevents display of the indicia at the sight openings until after a tie in scoring is reached.

The companion sight openings 38 and 38' are intended to selectively display indicia at either of the sight openings at either side of the scoring device, and a shutter 40 is pivoted as upon a pin 41 upon each of the cover plates A and B so as to be swung for closing either of its sight openings. In Figure 1 the shutter plate 40 is shown in a position covering the upper sight openings 38, and in Figure 2, covering the lower sight opening 38'.

Delineated in'any preferred manner upon each cover plate A and B at each side of each sight cpening 38 and 38' are the abbreviations Rec and Ser respectively designating the player who is serving and the player who is receiving.

As will be noted, these abbreviations are reversed at each sight opening and are also reversed upon opposite cover plates. That is, considering Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that Ser is at the right hand side of the sight opening 38' while in Figure 2, the abbreviation Ser is at the left hand side of the sight opening 38. If so desired, the abbreviations Rec may be dispensed with. Thus it will be seen that by so duplicating the scoring indicia at opposite faces of the scoring device, permits the scoring device to be reversed or turned over when the players change courts after any des'red number of games and the device positioned so that scoring may be continued according to the position of the players after having changed courts. It is to be understood that the person keeping the score is positioned at one side of the court and preferably at the net" line. The movable shutter plate 40 is of course first swung to expose the desired sight opening 38 or 38 in accordance with the player who is to serve first.

Referring now to the manner of using the scoring device and permitting the players to change courts without requiring the keeper to reset the game scoring discs, Figure 1 shows the scoring device in a starting position with the various discs set at zero and the player serving supposed to bedisposed at the right of the score keeper. Figure 3 shows the interior parts in a position similar to that shown in Figure 1 and in this view it will be noted that no indicia is displayed at the sight openings 38 and 38' of the display plate 30. Figure 4 shows the position of the point scoring discs C and D after each player has scored three points thus forming a tie known in the game of tennis as deuce" and requiring the players to win two successive points before scoring game. In this position, the numeral 40 is displayed at each sight opening 20 and the cam slots 33 have lowered the display plate 30 to an extent whereby the word deuce is displayed at the sight opening 38. This lowering of the display plate is brought about thru movement of the pins 34 in the throw portions 36" of the cam slots moving the pins toward the periphery of the point scoring discs, until the pins engage in the pockets 37. It may here be well to state that duringthe first two positions of movement of the point scoring discs, that the pins 34 merely ride to the open ends of the arcuate slot portions 35 which are concentric to the axis of the disc and thereforeno movement is imparted to the indicator G. After a tie score or deuce is reached in the scoring, the score keeper need then only observe the indicia displayedat the sight opening 38', and the indicia displayed is read only in conjunction with the abbreviation Ser designating the server.

As each player scores a point, the score keeper ceiving has scored one of the two successive I points required after a. tie in scoring is reached and the score keeper has imparted one degree of movement to the scoring disc C which causes the indicator G to be shifted laterally towards the right whereby the word out" is displayed at the sight opening 38 and indicating vantage out. This rotation of the scoring disc C causes the character X to be displayed at the sight opening for the scoring disc C and the numeral 30 to be displayed at the sight opening for the scoring disc D. Display of the numeral 30 has no meaning after a tie score or deuce has been reached in the scoring.

In Figure 6, the player receiving has scored two successive points following the tie and the scoring disc C has been again rotated one degree displaying "game" at its sight opening and moves the display plate 30 so that .no indicia is displayed at the sight opening 38'. This movement of the scoring disc C, limited by the pin 14, causes engage in one of the notches 22 in the game scoring disc E and impart movement thereto whereby the numeral '1 will appear. at the sight opening 21 forthedisc E. The pointscoring discs C and'D are then rwet to a starting ,posi-.

tion as in Flguresl and 8 whereby the only scoring indicia displayed will be numeral 1 at 'the game scoring sight opening 21 of the disc E.

Referring now to Figure 1,-this view. shows the scoring device reversed or turned over and at a starting position after three games have been played. In this position, the shutter plate 40 for the cover plate B conceals the lower sight opening 38 as shown in Figure 2. It is of course to be understood that the shutter plates 40 are to be reversed when first one player and then another is serving without changing the courts.

After one of the players has won a set, the game scoring discs E and F may be reset to;zero

or a starting position as shown in Figure 3 by rotating the disc E in a clockwise direction and the disc F in a counter-clockwise direction. I

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a game scoring device forluse in scoring the game oi tennis has been provided, embodying novel features whereby all scoring points of the game, as well as totaling of gameswon by. either player may be registered. It will also ,be'

apparent that a novel arrangement has been providedwhereby thescoring device may be dis posed in a positioncorresponding to the positions of the players when either serving or receiving. It will also be'apparent that byso having the scoring indicia duplicated upon opposite sides of the device, permits of the scoring device being reversed when the players change. courts so that the proper game scoring discs will be disposed in positions according .to the positions of the play-.

ers after they have changed courts.

Changes in details may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim: I

1. A tennis scoring device comprising a face plate provided with sight openings, point scoring units movably mounted at one sideof the face plate and having scoring indicia thereon for display at certain of said sight openings, and an indicator operatively connected for actuation by the point scoring units and having scoring indicia thereon for co-acting with the indicia on the point scoring units and adapted for display at other of said sight openings after a tie in scoring is attained. 5

2. A tennis scoring device comprising a face plate provided with sight openings, point scoring units rotatably mounted at one side of the face plate and having scoring indicia thereonfor display at certain of the sight openings, and'an indicator operatively connected to the point scoring units for actuation thereby and having scoring indicia thereon co-acting with the scoring in dicia on the point scoring units and adapted for display at other of said sight openings, said scoring indicia on the indicator being concealed from view until after a condition of the score attained is deuce.

3. A tennis scoring device comprising a face plate provided with sight openings, point scoring units rotatably mounted at one side of the face plate and having scoring indicia thereon for display at certain of said sight openings, an indicator operatively connected for actuation by the 1-units rotatably mounted at one side of the face point scoring units and having scoring indicia thereon for co -acting with the indiciaon the :point scoring units and adapted for display at mother of said sight openings after a condition of is "deuce, and game totaling plate andhaving indicia thereon for display at "stlllother of said sight openings.

. 4. A tennis scoring device comprising a face .plate provided with sight openings, point scoring uriits rotatably mounted at one side of the face plate and having scoring indicia thereon for display at certain of said sight openings, an indicator operatively connected for actuation by the point scoring units and having scoring indicia thereon for co-acting with the indicia on the point scoring units and adapted for display at other of said sight openings, game totaling units rotatably mounted at one side of the face plate and having indicia thereon for display at still other of said sight openings and means for progressively imparting movement to the game totaling units by their respective point scoring units when the latter indicates scoring of a game after a condition of the score attained is deuce".

5. A tennis scoring device embodying a pair of rotatable point scoring discs, a point scoring indicator operatively connected for actuation by the point scoring discs after the discs have been rotated for like degrees of rotation and to a point indicating deuce", and a game scoring disc associated with each point scoring disc for actuation thereby upon scoring of a game by their respective point scoring discs after a scoring of 'deuce" is attained.

6. A tennis scoring device embodying a cover plate provided with sight openings, a pair of point scoring discs rotatable at one side of the plate and having point scoring indicia thereon for display at certain of said sight openings, an indicator movable by the discs and embodying a dis play plate having point scoring indicia thereon for display at other of said sight openings after a tie scoring of deuce is attained, a rotatable game scoring disc for each point scoring disc and having numerals progressively arranged thereon for display at still other of said sight openings, and means on each point scoring disc for imparting movement to its respective game scoring disc after a tie scoring of deuce is attained for totaling games scored by either of the point scoring discs.

'7. A tennis scoring device embodying a cover plate provided with sight openings, a. pair of point scoring discs rotatable at one side of the plate and having point scoring indicia thereon for display at certain of said sight openings, an indicator movable by the discs and embodying a display plate having'point scoring indicia thereon for display at other of said sight openings after a condition of the score attained is deuce, a 1'0- tatable game scoring disc for each point scoring disc and having numerals progressively arranged thereon for display at still other of said sight openings, means on each pointscoring disc for imparting movement to its respective game scoring disc for totaling games scored by either of the point scoring discs after a score of deuce is attained, yieldable keeper means for retaining the point scoring discs in adjusted positions, and ratchet means associated with the game scoring discs for preventing counter-rotation thereof.

8. A tennis scoring device embodying a pair of point scoring discs having notches in their peripheral edges, spring keeper arms engageable in the notches of the discs for releasably holding the discs in adjusted positions of rotation, a point scoring plate movable by the discs, a pair of game scoring discs having notches in their peripheral edges, spring arms engageable in the notches of the game scoring discs and limiting rotation of the discs in one direction, and a yieldable tongue on each point scoring disc engageable in the notches of each respective game scoring disc for imparting one degree of movement to the latter when a game is scored after a tie scoring of deuce.

9. A tennis scoring device embodying a cover plate, a pair of point scoring discs rotatable at one side of the cover plate and having point scoring indicia thereon, sight openings in the cover plate for displaying the indicia on the point scoring discs, an indicator operatively connected to the point scoring discs and embodying a display plate having point scoring indicia duplicated thereon, a pair of sight openings for the indicia on the display plate, and means for selectively concealing the last mentioned sight openings,

said sight openings for the display plate having indicating indicia associated therewith indicating the position of the players with respect to the scoring device. a

10. A tennis scoring device comprising a pair of cover plates each provided with sight openings, a pair of point scoring discs rotatably mounted between the cover plates and having point scoring indicia duplicated upon opposite sides thereof for display at certain of said sight openings in the cover plates, an indicator operatively connected for actuation by the scoring discs and having point scoring indicia duplicated upon opposite sides thereof for display at other of said sight openings in the cover plates when a tie scoring of deuce is attained, a game scoring disc rotatably mounted between the cover plates for each of the point scoring discs and having game scoring indicia duplicated upon opposite sides thereof for display at still other sight openings in the cover plates, and means for progressively imparting movement to the game scoring discs by their respective, point scoring discs after a tie scoring of deuce.

11. A tennis scoring device comprising a pair of cover plates each provided with sight openings,

a pair of point scoring discs rotatably mounted between the cover plates and having point scoring indicia duplicated upon opposite sides thereof ior display at certain of said sight openings in the cover plates, an indicator operatively connected for actuation by the scoring discs and having point scoring indicia duplicated upon opposite sides thereof for display at other of said sight openings in the cover plate when a tie scoring of "deuce" is attained, a game scoring disc rotatably mounted between the cover plates for each of the point scoring discs and having game scoring indicia duplicated upon opposite sides thereof for display at still other sight openings in the cover plates, means for progressively imparting movement to the game scoring discs by their respective point scoring discs after a tie in scoring of deuce, means yieldably retaining the game scoring discs in adjusted positions of rotation, and keeper means associated with the game scoring discsandlimitingrotationotthediscs inbut one direction in which they are rotated by their respective point scoring discs.

12. A tennis scoring device comprising a pair of cover plates, a pair of point scoring discs rotatably mounted between the cover plates and having point scoring indicia duplicated upon opposite sides thereof, sight openings in each cover plate for the point scoring indicia, an indicator operatively connected for actuation by the scoring discs and embodying a display plate having point scoring indicia duplicated upon opposite sides thereof, a pair of display plate sight openings in each cover plate for display of the indicia on the display plate after a condition of the score attained is deuce, a shutter associated with each cover plate for selectively closing either display plate sight opening thereof, a pair of game scoring discs rotatably mounted between the cover plates, one for each of the scoring discs and having game scoring indicia duplicated upon opposite sides thereof for display at sight openings in the cover plates, yieldable keeper means for all of said discs, and movement imparting means between the point scoring discs and their respective game scoring discs for imparting movement to the game scoring discs when a game is scored by their respective point scoring discs subsequent to scoring of deuce".

13. In a tennis scoring device, a face plate provided with sight openings, a pair of point scoring discs rotatable at one side of the plate and each provided with a yieldable tongue at the peripheral edge of the discs, a game scoring disc rotatably mounted at one side of the plate for each of said first mentioned discs and having notched circumferential edges to be engaged by said tongues for imparting movement to the game scoring discs, means for limiting rotation of the point scoring discs, and yieldable keeper means for the game scoring discs.

14. In a tennis scoring device, a cover plate provided with sight openings, 9. pair of point scoring discs rotatably mounted in spaced relation at one side of the cover plate and having scoring indicia thereon for display at certain of said sight openings, an indicator embodying a display plate having scoring indicia thereon for display at other of said sight openings and arms projecting from the-display plate with their free ends in overlying relation to the discs, a cam slot provided in each scoring disc for controlling movement of the indicator, and a pin carried by the free end of each indicator arm and acting in the cam slots for displaying scoring indicia on the display plate at predetermined positions of movement of the point scoring discs.

15. In a tennis scoring device, a pair of rotatable point scoring discs each provided with similar scoring indicia indicating scoring points of the game, an indicator for co-acting with said discs and having scoring indicia thereon indicating deuce" and "vantage in and vantage out, and means for actuating the indicator upon movement of the scoring discs whereby the proper scoring indicia on the indicator will be displayed when the scoring discs display a tie condition of forty all" or when one player has scored a point after such tie.

HARRY P. CAMPBELL. 

